Cooking with Kids: Simple Recipes for Family Cooking Nights

Cooking with kids isn’t just about making meals or keeping them occupied; it’s about creating memories, strengthening familial bonds, and instilling lifelong skills. Family cooking nights are a wonderful way to spend quality time together while enjoying the fruits (or veggies!) of your labour. In this blog, we’ll explore the joys of cooking with kids and share some simple yet delicious recipes that are perfect for family cooking nights.

Benefits of Involving Kids in Cooking:

Cooking with kids offers a plethora of benefits beyond just putting food on the table. It’s an opportunity for children to learn essential life skills, get creative, and develop healthy eating habits. Moreover, it strengthens family bonds as everyone works together towards a common goal, creating a sense of accomplishment and a shared experience. Cooking together can also highlight and identify family members’ strengths and ways of working, helping them understand one another better.

Simple Recipes:

By now you’re probably sold on the idea of cooking together as a family, but you might not know where to start or what to cook. Don’t panic; here are three fun, tasty recipes to get you going! You might need to alter the ingredient amounts depending on how many people you’re cooking for. For reference, most of these recipes will cater for four people.

Spaghetti and Meatballs:

What You’ll Need:

• 225g spaghetti noodles
• 450g Angus beef mince
• 60g bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 25g grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
• 5g garlic powder
• 2.5g salt
• 1.25g black pepper
• 680g marinara sauce
• Optional: 6g chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish

How To Cook It:

1. In a bowl, mix together the Angus beef mince, bread crumbs, egg, grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Roll the mixture into small meatballs.
3. Heat marinara sauce in a pot over medium heat.
4. Gently add the meatballs to the sauce and let them simmer with the lid on until cooked through (roughly 15-20 minutes).
5. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions.
6. Serve meatballs and sauce over cooked spaghetti noodles. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Smash Burgers:

What You’ll Need:

• 450g Angus beef mince
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• 4 burger buns 
• 4 slices cheese
• Butter
• Toppings of choice (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, etc.)
• (Optional) 4 big handfuls of frozen chips or french fries.

How To Cook Them:

1. Divide Angus beef mince into small portions and shape them into 6cm diameter balls.
2. Heat a frying pan or griddle over medium-high heat with 1 tbsp of oil.
3. Place a ball of beef into the hot frying pan or griddle and immediately use a spatula to press it flat, smashing it into a thin patty.
4. Season the top sides of the patties with salt and pepper
5. Let the patties cook for a few minutes until the edges start to crisp up.
6. Flip the patties and add cheese slices if desired. Let them cook until the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked to your preference.
7. Butter and toast burger buns in the frying pan.
8. Assemble burgers by placing patties on toasted buns and adding toppings.
9. (Optional) Serve with fries or chips cooked according to package directions.

Chicken Fajitas:

What You’ll Need:

• 450g of chicken breast fillet, sliced into strips
• 10g of fajita seasoning
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 8 small tortillas
• Toppings of choice (sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, etc.)

How To Cook Them:

1. Season chicken strips with fajita seasoning.
2. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat with 1-2 tbsp of oil.
3. Season chicken strips with fajita seasoning.
4. Cook chicken in the frying pan until cooked through and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, remembering to flip halfway through.
5. Remove chicken from the frying pan and set aside.
6. In the same frying pan, add sliced bell peppers and onions. Cook until they are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
7. Warm tortillas in a separate frying pan or in the microwave.
8. Assemble fajitas by placing chicken, bell peppers, and onions onto warmed tortillas.
9. Serve with toppings of choice.

Tips for Cooking with Kids:

• Assign age-appropriate tasks to keep kids engaged and safe. Younger children can wash ingredients or stir a mixture, while older kids can help with chopping or measuring. Remember to tell them to keep mixing bowls upright to avoid spillages and save water where possible.
• Emphasise kitchen safety by teaching kids about proper knife handling and oven etiquette. Always supervise them closely, especially around hot surfaces, hot ingredients, and sharp objects. Encourage them to keep surfaces clean and educate them on cross-contamination where necessary.
• Ask your kids questions during and after cooking to keep track of learning progress and reiterate important information!

Learning Moments:

Use cooking as an opportunity to teach kids about the importance of nutritious ingredients and balanced meals. Talk to them about the different food groups and why it’s important to include a variety of foods in their diet. Encourage them to try new flavours and textures, expanding their culinary horizons.

Conclusion:

Family cooking nights are about more than just the food; they’re about creating lasting memories and fostering a healthy, useful love for cooking in your children. By involving kids in the kitchen from a young age, you’re not only teaching them valuable life skills but also building strong family bonds. So why not make it a regular part of your week? Gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and let the culinary adventures begin! Don’t forget to share your family cooking experiences and successes with us on social media. Good luck!